Chapter 8- The Facts About High School Graduation Rates
The claim in this chapter is The nation has a dropout crisis, and high school graduation rates are falling. However, the reality is, High school dropouts are at an all time low, and high school graduation rates are at an all time high. Ravitch explains that everyone believes there is a such thing called the dropout crisis and that there is a large amount of young people who never receive their high school diplomas. But, this is not true. Individuals have incorrect information about this "crisis." A high school diploma shows that one has the ability to complete high school. Although, those who do not receive their high school diplomas are at a disadvantage to earn a living, there are certainly jobs that high school diplomas aren't necessary for. Ravitch believes that the pressure to raise the graduation rates is leading to meaningless degrees rather focusing on better education. She feels that in order to reduce dropout rates and raise the graduation rates, it needs to be based off actual facts rather than assumptions about these ideas. Ravitch quotes,"People tend to work harder if they know that their hard work is productive. If we recognize the good work that so many principals, teachers, parents, youth counselors, school psychologists, and social workers have done over the years, they- and we- wouldn't feel hopeless about conquering problems."
According to the evidence that Ravitch uses, nearly a quarter of young people in the US are unable to complete their studies in the traditional four years. The four year graduation rate is one way to measure the graduation rates. This rate does not include those individuals who earn a GED. If those students were included, the high school graduation rate would be 90 percent. People between the ages 18 and 24 who were Asian/Pacific Islanders had a completion rate of 96 percent. White youths had a percentage of 94. Black youths had an 87 percent. American Indians/Alaska Natives had a completion rate of 82 percent and a percentage of 77 for hispanics. Aside from the graduation rate, there are other ways to calculate the dropout rate. There is an "event dropout rate" which measures the percentage of of youths age 15-24 who dropped out of grades 10-12 in a one year period. There is also a "status rate" which includes all dropouts between the ages 16 and 24 who do not have a high school diploma regardless of when they dropped out of school. The status rate is usually higher than the event dropout rate.
Reading Notes:
Claim- the nation has a dropout crisis, and high school graduation rates are falling
Reality- high school dropouts are at an all time low, and high school graduation rates are at an all time high
Students who do not complete high school are at a disadvantage in their ability to make a living
A number of them are African American and Hispanic.
High school diploma signifies the ability to persist and complete high school.
The pressure to raise graduation rates often leads to meaningless degrees, not better education.
1940 the high school graduation rate reached 50%
In 2010, the 4 year graduation rate reached 78.2%
Only about 3 quarters of American students get a high school diploma in four years.
Event dropout rate- measures percentage of youths from age 15-24 who dropped out of grades 10-12 in a 12-month period.
Status rate- all dropouts between the ages of 16-24 who lack a high school diploma, regardless of when or where they left school
Status rate is always higher
Dropout rate is trending downward
The US used to have the highest high school graduation rate in the world
To get the graduation rate over 90% one is to make sure that every student gets the necessary preparation and support in the early grades so that he or she is prepared for high school. Also the standards to meet an artificial target must be lowered.
Many districts put low performing students in “credit recovery” courses where they can earn lost credits and be able to graduate.
This issue is important for districts throughout the US. It is important for Rhode Island to take this issue into consideration when creating a new strategic plan. Although the dropout rates and graduation rates are currently steady, there is always room for a slip. The RI Department of Education's new strategic plan should make an effort to encourage their residents to complete high school and earn their high school diploma. Although a diploma is not always required for a job, it should be stressed that it is a disadvantage to those who do not receive their high school diploma. The new plan should also be supportive to those students who for some reason are unable to complete high school in four years. It is important for students to know that they can receive a GED by taking an extra year or so, which would be more desirable than dropping out completely.
The claim in this chapter is The nation has a dropout crisis, and high school graduation rates are falling. However, the reality is, High school dropouts are at an all time low, and high school graduation rates are at an all time high. Ravitch explains that everyone believes there is a such thing called the dropout crisis and that there is a large amount of young people who never receive their high school diplomas. But, this is not true. Individuals have incorrect information about this "crisis." A high school diploma shows that one has the ability to complete high school. Although, those who do not receive their high school diplomas are at a disadvantage to earn a living, there are certainly jobs that high school diplomas aren't necessary for. Ravitch believes that the pressure to raise the graduation rates is leading to meaningless degrees rather focusing on better education. She feels that in order to reduce dropout rates and raise the graduation rates, it needs to be based off actual facts rather than assumptions about these ideas. Ravitch quotes,"People tend to work harder if they know that their hard work is productive. If we recognize the good work that so many principals, teachers, parents, youth counselors, school psychologists, and social workers have done over the years, they- and we- wouldn't feel hopeless about conquering problems."
According to the evidence that Ravitch uses, nearly a quarter of young people in the US are unable to complete their studies in the traditional four years. The four year graduation rate is one way to measure the graduation rates. This rate does not include those individuals who earn a GED. If those students were included, the high school graduation rate would be 90 percent. People between the ages 18 and 24 who were Asian/Pacific Islanders had a completion rate of 96 percent. White youths had a percentage of 94. Black youths had an 87 percent. American Indians/Alaska Natives had a completion rate of 82 percent and a percentage of 77 for hispanics. Aside from the graduation rate, there are other ways to calculate the dropout rate. There is an "event dropout rate" which measures the percentage of of youths age 15-24 who dropped out of grades 10-12 in a one year period. There is also a "status rate" which includes all dropouts between the ages 16 and 24 who do not have a high school diploma regardless of when they dropped out of school. The status rate is usually higher than the event dropout rate.
Reading Notes:
A number of them are African American and Hispanic.
High school diploma signifies the ability to persist and complete high school.
The pressure to raise graduation rates often leads to meaningless degrees, not better education.
1940 the high school graduation rate reached 50%
This issue is important for districts throughout the US. It is important for Rhode Island to take this issue into consideration when creating a new strategic plan. Although the dropout rates and graduation rates are currently steady, there is always room for a slip. The RI Department of Education's new strategic plan should make an effort to encourage their residents to complete high school and earn their high school diploma. Although a diploma is not always required for a job, it should be stressed that it is a disadvantage to those who do not receive their high school diploma. The new plan should also be supportive to those students who for some reason are unable to complete high school in four years. It is important for students to know that they can receive a GED by taking an extra year or so, which would be more desirable than dropping out completely.